HAV - 2002

Edward A. McMahon, US Navy

Albany County Executive Mike Breslin and the Honor-A-Veteran Committee honored World War II veteran Edward A. McMahon at the January Honor-A-Veteran Ceremony on Monday, January 7, 2002 in the Cahill Room on the first floor of the Albany County Office Building, 112 State Street, Albany.

Edward A. McMahon entered the United States Navy in December of 1941 and was a Gunner's Mate First Class on several ships. While in the Navy, Edward was stationed in the Asiatic Pacific, Europe and the Middle East serving with the USS Pocomoke (AV-9), USS Cowie (DD 632) and USS Cowie (DMS-39). He received the Victory Medal and the Good Conduct Medal for his service.

Edward was a graduate of Utica College of Syracuse University and Albany Law School and was in private practice of law in Albany for nearly half a century. He was a founder and director of the Capitol District Trial Lawyers Association and a member of the Panel of Arbitrators, American Arbitration Association, Albany County Bar Association of Trial Lawyers, Counsel to the City of Albany and Albany County Civil Service Commissions. Edward was the former vice chairman, treasurer and committeeman of the Guilderland Democratic Committee. He was a member and past chief of the North Bethlehem Volunteer Fire Department and a long time member of the Nathaniel Adams Blanchard American Legion Post.

John J. Noisette, US Navy

Albany County Executive Mike Breslin and the Honor-A-Veteran Committee honored the memory of World War II veteran, John J. Noisette Jr. In ceremony held on Monday, February 25, 2002 in the Cahill Room of the Albany County Office Building recognizing an outstanding African American veteran as part of Albany County's celebration of African American History Month.

John J. Noisette Jr. entered the United States Navy in 1944 and served until 1946. He was stationed in Shoemaker, California serving at the U.S. Navy Training and Distribution Center supporting our troops in the Pacific, and later on Long Island at the Personnel Separation Center, as they prepared a return to civilian life. He received the American Theater Medal, Asiatic Pacific Medal and the Victory Medal for his service.

He was a resident of Albany's South End and attended Philip Schuyler High School. John was employed by Michael's Office Products, served on the Albany County Democratic Committee and was a volunteer for the SHARE food program.

Harry E. Lee, US Army

Albany County Executive Mike Breslin and the Honor-A-Veteran Committee honored World War II veteran Harry E. Lee on Monday, March 4, 2002 in the Cahill Room of the Albany County Office Building.

Harry Lee, of Albany, entered the United States Army Air Corps in January of 1942. He participated in basic training at Camp Upton and mechanic training at Miller Field, Long Island prior to shipping out to England in 1943. He served overseas in Europe and Africa until the end of the war. He was recognized with the Good Conduct Medal, the World War II Victory Medal and the European-African Middle Eastern Theater Service Medal.

Following his honorable discharge on October 25, 1945, Harry returned to Albany where he operated a roofing and siding business, along with the well-known Reedy's Tavern on Lark Street. Harry actively volunteered in Little League and Boy Scouts, served as a 31-year member of the Joseph E. Zaloga American Legion Post and as a member of the Helderberg Seniors League.

Harry W. Brouker, US Army

Albany County Executive Mike Breslin and the Honor-A-Veteran Committee honored World War II veteran Harry W. Brouker on Monday, April 1, 2002 at the Cahill Room of the Albany County Office Building.

Harry Brouker, of Albany, entered the United States Army in April of 1943. He served with the Company C 721st Railroad Operation Battalion. He was stationed at New Orleans, San Antonio and Camp Attenbury, Indiana before departing for Bombay, India. He served as a locomotive engineer on the Bengal and Assam railroads. He was honorably discharged in January of 1946. He was recognized with the Atlantic Pacific Service medal, Good Conduct medal and the World War II Victory medal.

Harry was a railroad locomotive engineer for 46 years. He worked for the New York Central Railroad System, Penn Central and most recently Conrail, retiring in 1987. He was a member of the Guilderland Elks 2840, member and past commander of VFW Post 5294 and past commander of the Albany County Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was a volunteer with the Albany Police Benevolent Association.

Henry A. Kraievski, US Army

Albany County Executive Mike Breslin and the Honor-A-Veteran Committee honored World War II veteran Henry A. Kraievski on Monday, May 6, 2002 at the Cahill Room of the Albany County Office Building.

A native of Albany who later moved to Delmar, Henry entered the New York National Guard in 1939. He served in Hawaii, Africa, Italy and Germany. At Anzio, Italy, Henry’s machine gun platoon repulsed a heavy German assault. Henry was wounded while directing his men under the withering enemy fire and for his gallantry was awarded the Silver Star in addition to receiving the Purple Heart. He was honorably discharged in 1945 and joined the US Army Reserves from which retired in 1973 with the rank of Captain.

Henry was past commander and a member of the Joseph E. Zaloga American Legion Post for more than five decades and a member of the Retired Officers Association. He also served as manager of the Polish Community Center.

Peter J. Passaretti, US Navy & Dominick P. Passaretti, US Navy

Albany County Executive Mike Breslin and the Honor-A-Veteran Committee honored navy veterans Peter and Dominick Peter Passaretti. A ceremony was held on Monday, June 3, 2002 in the Cahill Room of the Albany County Office Building.

Peter Passaretti was a native of Watervliet who entered the United States Navy in 1950. After serving in the Korean War, he was honorably discharged in 1954 and awarded the Good Conduct Medal and the National Defense Medal.

Peter was the owner and operator of Passaretti’s Barber Shop in Watervliet and served as past president of the local Barbers union. He also owned a videography business, Treasured Moments. He was the creator of Spectator Sports, a cable sports television show. He served on the Board of Directors of the Watervliet Civic Center.

Dominck Passaretti was born in Watervliet and later moved to Cohoes. He entered the United States Navy in 1955. He served as an aircraft mechanic and was stationed primarily in Denmark and Iceland. He was honorably discharged in 1957.

Dominick was employed by the Mohawk Paper Mill and the Federal Defense Logistic Agency. He was also the director of weights and measurements for the City of Cohoes. He was an active member of our community. He served the Model Cities Physical Planning Board, and assisted the development of the Albany County Sewer System interceptor lines and pumping stations, the new Senior Citizens Center and Housing units, the Neighborhood Rehabilitation Project and the overall rehabilitation of Cohoes. He was an active member of the Cohoes Democratic Committee.

Joseph A. Murphy, US Army Air Corps.

Albany County Executive Mike Breslin and the Honor-A-Veteran Committee honored United States Army Air Corp Veteran Major Joseph A. Murphy. A ceremony was held on Monday, July 1, 2002 in the Cahill Room of the Albany County Office Building.

Joseph Murphy, of Albany’s North End, entered the Army Air Corp in January of 1942. He rose to the rank of Major during his service in the Southeast Asia Arena. He served as a navigator and was honorably discharged in 1946. He was awarded the Air Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, American Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal and a Unit Citation for his service.

Joseph was a graduate of Christian Brothers Academy and Siena College. He was employed as an engineer for General Electric for more than 35 years. He was the general manager of GE Gas Turbine when he retired in 1982. He was a member of the North Albany American Legion Post #1610 and a communicant of the Church of St. Pius X.

Edward Ross, U.S. Marines

Albany County Executive Mike Breslin and the Honor-A-Veteran Committee honored World War II veteran Edward Ross. A ceremony was held on Monday, August 5, 2002, in the Cahill Room of the Albany County Office Building.

A resident of Albany, Ross entered the U.S. Marines in January of 1942 and served through the end of World War II as a member of the 3rd Battalion, of the 1st Marine Division in the South Pacific. He was awarded two Silver Stars for gallantry in action, his first Silver Star for taking out a Japanese post under heavy fire at Cape Gloucester on New Britain Island. He received a second Silver Star for leading an assault up a steep coral embankment after assuming command upon the death of the platoon commander on Peleliu Island. He also participated in the battle at Guadalcanal. In addition to the two silver stars, Ross was awarded a Marine Commendation Medal and a Presidential Unit Citation.

Ross was employed by Central Dairy and retired from the Crowley Dairy. He played semi-professional baseball with the Albany Hobos. He was a member of the Albany Elks Club, the Polish Club and the VFW Wiggins Post.

John M. Zilinkski, US Navy

Albany County Executive Mike Breslin and the Honor-A-Veteran Committee honored World War II veteran John M. Zilinkski. A ceremony was held on Tuesday, September 3, 2002, in the Cahill Room of the Albany County Office Building.

A resident of Loudonville, Zilinksi enlisted in the United States Navy in 1942. He served in the Pacific Theatre where he participated in the South China Sea Patrols and the invasions of Saipan, Tarawa, Kwajilan and the Philippine Islands.

In 1948, Zilinski joined the New York State Police, beginning a distinguished career in law enforcement. In 1958, he was promoted to the Bureau of Criminal Investigations, from which he retired in 1972. He later joined the Albany County Sheriff’s Department, serving as the commander of the Highway Patrol. He was a member of the PBA New York State Troopers and the United States Submarine Veterans of World War II.

William J. Cameron, U.S. Marines

Albany County Executive Mike Breslin and the Honor-A-Veteran Committee honored World War II veteran William J. Cameron. A ceremony was held on Monday, October 7, 2002, in the Cahill Room of the Albany County Office Building.

Cameron, a graduate of Siena College, enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1943. Following Office Candidate School at Quantico, VA, Cameron served in the Pacific Theatre, where he saw combat at Saipan, Tinian and Okinawa. He then served with the Occupation Forces in Nagasaki, Japan before being discharged in 1946.

Cameron returned to Albany and served for 20 years in the New York Army National Guard’s 27th Armored Division, retiring in 1967 as Captain. He was employed in sales for many years and retired in 1987. Cameron was married to his wife Eileen for 54 years and had one son, William, Jr.

After his retirement, he continued serving his community as a volunteer for the Albany VA hospital and St. John’s-St. Ann’s Church. Cameron was also a proud and active member of the Marine Corps League, the Christian Brothers Academy Alumni and Siena College Alumni Associations.

Paul E. Albano, U.S. Marines

Albany County Executive Mike Breslin and the Honor-A-Veteran Committee honored Vietnam veteran Paul E. Albano. A ceremony was helded on Monday, November 4, 2002, in the Cahill Room of the Albany County Office Building.

Albano graduated from Greenville Central School in 1963 and enlisted in the Marine Corps. After basic and avionics training, he was assigned to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262 in North Carolina. Paul was ordered to Vietnam in 1965 where he was assigned to Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 11 of Marine Air Group 11 at Danang and subsequently to Aerial Observation Squadron 2 of Marine Air Group 16 in November 1966 as a gunner on Huey Helicopters. He was deployed to the forward base at Dong Ha near the DMZ in support of Operation Prairie, Prairie II and Prairie III.

While on a tactical reconnaissance mission on March 28, 1967, Paul’s helicopter was shot down near Quang Tri causing his fatal injuries. Paul was awarded the Combat Air Crew Insignia with three stars, the Air Medal, Purple Heart and Good Conduct Medal along with numerous Vietnam service medals.

William Springer, US Army Air Force

Albany County Executive Mike Breslin and the Honor-A-Veteran Committee commemorated World War II veteran William A. Springer. A ceremony was held on Monday, December 2, 2002, in the Cahill Room of the Albany County Office Building.

Springer served in the United States Army Air Force from November 1942 to October 1945. As an Army Air Force Technician, he served in the Normandy, Rhineland, Ardennes, Central Europe and Northern France campaigns during World War II. Springer was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the European Theatre Ribbon with six Bronze Stars, the Distinguished Unit Badge and Good Conduct Medal.

Springer returned to Albany County, where he raised a family with his wife Helen and operated his own trucking business. After selling his business, he spent many years as a trucker for several companies and later worked for the Albany County Department of Public Works.

Springer was active in the community as a 4-H leader, a member of the Altamont Fair board and a member of the Rod and Gun Club.